Biochar amendment affects the fate of phthalic acid esters in the soil-vegetable system.

Phthalates, e.g., esters of phthalic acid (PAEs), when used as plasticizers due to weak physical bonding with polymer matrix favoring leaching, are widely noted in the environment.

Diverse prehistoric cattle husbandry strategies in the forests of Central Europe.

During the sixth millennium BCE, the first farmers of Central Europe rapidly expanded across a varied mosaic of forested environments. Such environments would have offered important sources of mineral-rich animal feed and shelter, prompting the question: to what extent did early farmers exploit forests to raise their herds? Here, to resolve this, we have assembled multi-regional datasets, comprising bulk and compound-specific stable isotope values from zooarchaeological remains and pottery, and conducted cross-correlation analyses within a palaeo-environmental framework. Our findings reveal a diversity of pasturing strategies for cattle employed by early farmers, with a notable emphasis on intensive utilization of forests for grazing and seasonal foddering in some regions.

Biochemical characterization of a recombinant laccase from Halalkalibacterium halodurans C-125 and its application in the biotransformation of organic compounds.

Objectives: This study aimed to produce an engineered recombinant laccase from extremophilic Halalkalibacterium halodurans C-125 (Lac-HhC-125) with higher protein yield, into a more active conformation and with properties that meet the fundamental needs of biotechnological application.

Results: The rLac-HhC125 was partially purified by size exclusion chromatography and concentrated by ultrafiltration (10 kDa) with a yield of 57.6%.

Synthesis and characterization of a crosslinked deacetylated chitin modified chicken bone waste-derived hydroxyapatite and TiO biocomposite for defluoridation of drinking water.

This work represents an innovative approach to the synthesis and characterization of a chitosan-based biocomposite for fluoride adsorption. The work involved the development of a biocomposite based on modified chicken bone waste-derived hydroxyapatite and TiO. The composite was characterized using scanning electron microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared analysis (FTIR), thermal-gravimetric analysis (TGA), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).

Effect of Xenon Ion Irradiation on the Properties of Austenitic Steel AISI 316.

This study investigated changes in the crystal lattice, tribological properties and friction mechanism of AISI 316 steel irradiated with swift 160 MeV xenon ions. The irradiation process caused the increased roughness of the steel surface and the swelling of the material. The thickness of the irradiated layer increased by about 13 nm.

Potentiometric Electronic Tongue for the Evaluation of Multiple-Unit Pellet Sprinkle Formulations of Rosuvastatin Calcium.

Sprinkle formulations represent an interesting genre of medicinal products. A frequent problem, however, is the need to mask the unpleasant taste of these drug substances. In the present work, we propose the use of a novel sensor array based on solid-state ion-selective electrodes to evaluate the taste-masking efficiency of rosuvastatin (ROS) sprinkle formulations.

Hydrodynamic Cavitation as a Method of Removing Surfactants from Real Carwash Wastewater.

The present work aimed to evaluate whether the use of an innovative method such as hydrodynamic cavitation (HC) is suitable for the simultaneous removal of surfactants of different chemical natures (non-ionic, anionic and cationic) from actual car wash wastewater at different numbers of passes through the cavitation zone and different inlet pressures. An additional novelty was the use of multi-criteria decision support, which enabled the selection of optimal HC conditions that maximized the removal of each group of surfactants and chemical oxygen demand (COD) with minimal energy input. For the optimal HC variants, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR/ATR) as well as investigations of surface tension, zeta potential, specific conductivity, system viscosity and particle size were carried out.

Comparative study of the photosynthetic efficiency and leaf structure of four Cotoneaster species.

Plants belonging to the genus Cotoneaster can be valuable sources of phytochemicals with potential therapeutic properties. The natural habitats of most of these species are situated in Asia, Africa and southern Europe. Introducing them into other climatic conditions could expose them to abiotic and biotic stresses, affecting their bioactive properties.

Hematologists' state of knowledge on practical aspects of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) in adult patients: A Young Hematologists' Club survey.

Background: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a life-threatening hyperinflammatory syndrome with various etiologies. Its treatment is complicated by several important but not immediately obvious issues (e.g.

Application of Response Surface Methodology to Design and Optimize Purification of Acetone or Aqueous Acetone Extracts of Hop Cones ( L.) Using Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Xanthohumol Isolation.

Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) are an ideal sorbent for magnetic dispersion extraction due to their superparamagnetic properties and developed and active surface. This work aims to use IONPs, obtained by chemical co-precipitation, to purify 100% acetone and 50% acetone extracts from hop cones ( L.) obtained by ultrasonic-assisted solvent extraction.

Porous Copolymers of 3-(Trimethoxysilyl)propyl Methacrylate with Trimethylpropane Trimethacrylate Preparation: Structural Characterization and Thermal Degradation.

Porous polymeric microspheres are among the most effective adsorbents. They can be synthesized from numerous monomers using different kinds of polymerization techniques with a broad selection of synthesis factors. The main goal of this study was to prepare copolymeric microspheres and establish the relationship between copolymerization parameters and the porosity and thermal stability of the newly synthesized materials.

Biofortification of Mushrooms: A Promising Approach.

Mushrooms exhibit a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities and are widely used for medical purposes and in nutrition. Numerous bioactive metabolites are responsible for these activities. Their distribution and biological effects differ depending on the fungal species and their chemical composition.

The Influence of Rhizobial Nod Factors on the Synthesis of Flavonoids in Common Buckwheat ( Moench).

Flavonoids constitute a class of polyphenolic secondary metabolites synthesised mainly by plants and possessing anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties. Common buckwheat ( Moench) is a dicotyledonous plant rich in different classes of flavonoids (e.g.

Exploring the Potential of Synthetic Cannabinoids: Modulation of Biological Activity of Normal and Cancerous Human Colon Epithelial Cells.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a global problem. Oncology currently practices conventional methods of treating this carcinoma, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Unfortunately, their efficacy is low; hence, the exploration of new therapies is critical.

Intraspecific diversity of Myrmecophilus acervorum (Orthoptera: Myrmecophilidae) indicating an ongoing cryptic speciation.

Myrmecophilus acervorum, previously considered a parthenogenetic species widely-distributed in Europe, has been observed to have both sexes in populations inhabiting the central part of the distribution range. Specimens from those heterosexual populations have been found being infected with Wolbachia. New mitochondrial data (COI and 16S markers) revealed the well-supported differentiation of M.

Composites of hydroxyapatite and their application in adsorption, medicine and as catalysts.

Composites of hydroxyapatite, recognized by its peculiar crystal architecture and distinctive attributes showcased the potential in adsorbing heavy metal ions and radioactive elements as well as selected organic substances. In this paper, the intrinsic mechanism of adsorption by composites hydroxyapatite was proved for the first time. Subsequently, selectivity and competitiveness of composites of hydroxyapatite for a variety of environments containing various interferences from cations, anions, and organic molecules are elucidated.

Seasonal detection of pathogens in honeybees kept in natural and laboratory conditions.

The honeybee is one of the most important pollinators in the world. The frequently observed poor health of honeybee colonies can be caused by various factors, e.g.

Highly sensitive and selective anodic stripping voltammetric procedure of As(III) determination following double deposition and double stripping steps mode in combination with a flow system.

Double deposition and double stripping steps mode was used for the first time in combination with a flow system for anodic stripping voltammetric determination of As(III) ions. The proposed way of the voltammetric measurements leads to a decrease of the detection limit as compared to the values obtained using a traditional three-electrode system thanks to an initial preconcentration of the analyte on the first working electrode as well as the significant increase of the selectivity of As(III) determination thanks to the application of a flow system. Optimization of the analytical procedure was performed.

Colonization of phthalate-degrading endophytic bacterial consortium altered bacterial community and enzyme activity in plants.

Phthalates (PAEs) are widely distributed hazardous organic compounds that pose threats to ecosystems and human health. Endophytic bacteria can effectively eliminate PAEs contamination risk. However, limited information is available regarding the impact of endophytic bacterial colonization on bacterial communities within plants.

Novel high-protein dairy product based on fresh white cheese and whey protein isolate.

The aim of the study was to obtain hard dairy product similar to the rennet hard cheese starting from the fresh white cheese (low and full-fat). This was accomplished with adding a powdered whey protein isolate to the fresh white cheese and heating. Fresh white cheese was produced from full or skim milk and ground with the whey protein isolate powder.

Proapoptotic and antimigration properties of osthole in combination with LY294002 against human glioma cells.

Anaplastic astrocytoma and glioblastoma multiforme are infiltrating and vascularized gliomas with a high degree of chemoresistance and metastasis. Our previous studies have shown that osthole may be of great importance in the treatment of gliomas. Therefore, in this work, for the first time, coumarin was used in combination with LY294002-an inhibitor of the PI3K-Akt/PKB-mTOR pathway, which is overly active in gliomas.